Where Are They Now? Updates On 9 International Wildlife Conservation Posts
7. 20 Animals Dead This Year at Dhaka Zoo in Bangladesh
Summary:
Negligence, inadequate care, inexperience, and poor living conditions the Dhaka Zoo are to blame for the reported deaths of 20 animals so far this year.
Update:
Just two days after the original post, one of Dhaka zoo’s Bengal tigers, Garjan, died.
There are now apparently ten tigers left at this facility. A photo shows a tiger in a cement enclosure.
Despite the suspension of the zoo’s curator and deputy director, Dhaka Zoo is preparing to welcome holiday visitors, according to an online Bangladesh news source.
The zoo publicity officer, Saiful Islam, said the authorities are taking all measures to entertain the visitors.
By all means, since entertaining the visitors seems to be working great – just great.
8. 14 Deer Dead in One Night at Kanpur Zoo
Summary:
A disturbing discovery at the Kanpur Zoo revealed that thirteen chital (Axis axis) and one swamp deer (Cervus duvauceli) had died overnight. Coincidentally, five black bucks died last at Kanpur Zoo last year within one hour around this same time of year.
Seven employees were suspended.
Update:
Last Wednesday, PETA India held a demonstration in front of the Central Zoo Authority calling for the closure of all zoos, citing this incident as the latest in the rising death toll of animals in India’s zoos.
And last Thursday, an official inspection by a four-member team was conducted at the Kanpur Zoological Park.
During their stay, the team members inspected the enclosures of various animals and observed the cleanliness. They went to the site where the deer were found dead. Kanpur zoo, director, K Praveen Rao was asked to provide documents on the zoo management.
The inspection team is expected to submit a report within 15 days.
9. Tiger Cub Dies at Zoo — To Attract More Tourists
Summary:
A white tiger cub has died at India’s Indore Zoo after zoo authorities decided to keep a litter of sick cubs on display to attract more tourists.
Wildlife experts believe that putting the cubs on display prematurely made them ill in the first place – and zoo authorities knew the cubs had been suffering from bacterial gastroenteritis since late August. A zoo employee reportedly said the cubs were dehydrated and had diarrhea, but were kept in the enclosure anyway so tourists would come and see them.
Update:
It turns out the tragic death of the tiger cub wasn’t the first animal death at the Indore Zoo.
Apparently, three animals – a deer and two male black bucks – died the week before from internal injuries inflicted during a “clash” in their enclosure. And in July, 20 rabbits reportedly died from an infection.
However, it appears that action is being taken in this matter.
Stung by a series of deaths in the Indore zoo, including that of a white tiger cub, the civic agency has removed more than 25 employees, including the superintendent and the zoo in-charge, for negligence of duty, officials said Tuesday.
One of the surviving tiger cubs is still undergoing medical treatment.
Not over yet
At times, it looks as if the world is somehow conspiring against the survival of its wildlife treasures.
The struggle to protect endangered species from poachers and habitat loss – or to provide proper care to zoo inhabitants – seems at times to be a difficult and lonely one. Many believe the battle to save endangered species from extinction is already lost.
Yet, thanks to the dedicated efforts of organizations such as Cook Inletkeeper, Wildlife Direct, International Rhino Foundation (and many more) along with countless, caring individuals, hope for wildlife remains.
And where there is hope for wildlife … perhaps there is hope for humans, too.
Image source: istock.com
